Apple has acknowledged screen defects in its first foldable smartphone, the "iPhone Duo," and announced a policy for free replacements.

According to Reuters and Bloomberg on the 26th local time, an Apple spokesperson said in a statement, "We are aware of an issue affecting the inner screen in a small number of iPhone Duo devices."

The spokesperson explained, "Users experiencing screen issues with the iPhone Duo should receive a replacement through AppleCare, our product warranty program."

However, Apple did not mention the cause of problems such as screen cracking.

iFixit, a third-party electronics teardown and repair specialist, analyzed that the problem may be caused by stress concentration in the central support area where wires run underneath the screen when the device is folded.

However, the firm explained that the iPhone Duo has the easiest-to-repair structure among foldable smartphones encountered so far.

Despite Apple's free replacement policy, consumer inconvenience is expected to persist for the time being.

This is because initial stock of the iPhone Duo is depleted, making it highly likely that replacement units will be hard to come by.

In fact, Bloomberg reported customer reactions stating that stores lacked replacement inventory.

In addition, for those whose standard limited warranty has expired, free replacement is expected to be difficult unless they are enrolled in a separate insurance or warranty program.

It was reported that servicing the product for inner screen damage after the warranty period incurs a repair cost of about 1.649 million won.

Users of the iPhone Duo, which went on sale on the 23rd, have complained via social media and other platforms that cracks and lines formed on the inner screen along the central hinge immediately after using the device.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video edited by Lee Eui-seon | Designed by Lee Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News